On August 14, 2025, Lubacha Deus, a Master’s student in Global African Studies at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, specializing in Afro-Arab Relations, celebrated the launch of his latest Kiswahili novel, Sankara II, in his hometown of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Published in collaboration with Mkuki na Nyota Publishers, the book was unveiled at a special event in the city and streamed live to the wider Kiswahili-speaking community.
Sankara II continues Lubacha’s literary journey, which began with his acclaimed debut If She Were Alive (2018), winner of the BURT Award for African Literature in Tanzania, and was followed by Parrots of White Feathers (2024), a collection of short stories. His newest work weaves together themes of power, love, betrayal, and revenge, offering both a compelling narrative and a sharp reflection on human struggles, while contributing meaningfully to contemporary Kiswahili literature.
Reflecting on the significance of writing in Kiswahili, Lubacha Deus said, “Writing in Kiswahili is an act of responsibility. It is about keeping the language alive in literature, giving it space on the shelves and in the conversations where other global languages often dominate. When I write in Kiswahili, I am not only expressing myself but also affirming that our language belongs in the world of books, ideas, and imagination.”
The launch event brought together writers, publishers, and literary enthusiasts in Tanzania, while the live stream extended participation across the globe.
We commend Lubacha’s achievement, whose scholarship and artistic practice continue to shape cultural conversations locally and internationally.
Click here to purchase and learn more about the publication, Sankara II.
On August 14, 2025, Lubacha Deus, a Master’s student in Global African Studies at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, specializing in Afro-Arab Relations, celebrated the launch of his latest Kiswahili novel, Sankara II, in his hometown of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Published in collaboration with Mkuki na Nyota Publishers, the book was unveiled at a special event in the city and streamed live to the wider Kiswahili-speaking community.
On August 14, 2025, Lubacha Deus, a Master’s student in Global African Studies at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, specializing in Afro-Arab Relations, celebrated the launch of his latest Kiswahili novel, Sankara II, in his hometown of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Published in collaboration with Mkuki na Nyota Publishers, the book was unveiled at a special event in the city and streamed live to the wider Kiswahili-speaking community.
Sankara II continues Lubacha’s literary journey, which began with his acclaimed debut If She Were Alive (2018), winner of the BURT Award for African Literature in Tanzania, and was followed by Parrots of White Feathers (2024), a collection of short stories. His newest work weaves together themes of power, love, betrayal, and revenge, offering both a compelling narrative and a sharp reflection on human struggles, while contributing meaningfully to contemporary Kiswahili literature.
Reflecting on the significance of writing in Kiswahili, Lubacha Deus said, “Writing in Kiswahili is an act of responsibility. It is about keeping the language alive in literature, giving it space on the shelves and in the conversations where other global languages often dominate. When I write in Kiswahili, I am not only expressing myself but also affirming that our language belongs in the world of books, ideas, and imagination.”
The launch event brought together writers, publishers, and literary enthusiasts in Tanzania, while the live stream extended participation across the globe.
We commend Lubacha’s achievement, whose scholarship and artistic practice continue to shape cultural conversations locally and internationally.
Click here to purchase and learn more about the publication, Sankara II.
Mkuki na Nyota Publishers
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